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32 lashed with stiffener or 32 305 boots?

So I bought a new pair of boots last week. I recently developed a
pinched nerve from my 03/04 Nitro Team boots, and wanted a replacement.
A guy at the local shop had me try 32 Lashed, said it was comparable
but lighter. It fit well so I bought it.

Anyway I had terrible foot pain with them on Saturday. I was adjusting
lacing or binding straps frequently. The only runs I did without pain,
I had less control, and too much exertion, probably from things being
loose. I switched my front foot back to the Nitros, and all was well.

Not only do the seem way flexier than the Nitro Team (I though both
were supposed to be "medium" flex), the shell is really soft and my
crude older Burton Custom straps dig in pretty hard, which I think was
the cause of my pain.

I replaced the straps today with contoured ones.

The shop will let me trade up for the 32 305 which has an amazing
retention system. They will also look into getting the optional tounge
stiffener insert from 32 (Medium or stiff?) for the Lashed.

I was leaning toward the stiffener, but now that I think about it the
305 seems like a safer bet. I'm prone to heel lift, and there probably
isn't a better boot to help with that. And the shell is harder, less
likely to give me pain from the straps. Furthermore, I can trade up
now, but if I try to use 'em again, the boots won't be pristine, and if
they don't work for me, I'd have to Ebay 'em.

On the other hand the Lashed sure is light (300g lighter per boot than
my Team), and if I can ride it comfortably it should be pretty nice.

Have you ridden these boots? Have you used the 32 stiffener insert?
Have you fixed foot pain with better binding straps?